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The best four teams are about to do battle for a place in this year's Super Bowl - with complex storylines and intrigue of which even the most tightly-woven Hollywood script could only dream.

The playoffs never fail to deliver and already we’ve witnessed Chicago Bears kicker Cody Parkey's missed kick against the Philadelphia Eagles, a calamity that has been etched into the memory.

But all the drama has led to a showdown between the finest sides as the New Orleans Saints battle the LA Rams for NFC glory while the Kansas City Chiefs host the all-conquering New England Patriots in the AFC duel at Arrowhead.

It doesn't get any better for gridiron nuts and while the thrills and spills from playoff upsets are great - there's something comforting about the top teams battling at this semi-final stage. It's also hard to remember a season where more is on the line for the key characters involved.

(Image: USA TODAY Sports)

The New Orleans Saints and their incredible 40-year-old quarterback Drew Brees are nine years removed from their first Super Bowl triumph but have the chance to return to the big show when they take on the resurgent Rams.

LA's favourite new team returned to their former home in 2016 and turned apathy into enthusiasm after their thrilling run this season. Their success is guided by 32-year-old head coach Sean McVay and his explosive offence which is powered by star running back Todd Gurley.

The pair battled back in October with the Saints edging a thriller 45-35 - both teams will do it all over again in the Superdome on Sunday with Bourbon Street expected to run dry of the hard stuff if their hometown heroes find a way past the Rams.

Journalist Peter King described the atmosphere in New Orleans against Philadelphia last week as a cross between a jet taking off and being in the front row of a Metallica concert - expect more of the same with a trip to Atlanta at stake.

Drew Brees is still rolling at 40 (Image: USA TODAY Sports)

In the AFC title game it's the ultimate battle of youth vs experience as second-year gunslinger Patrick Mahomes gets ready for a shootout with the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady.

The Chiefs and the Patriots thrilled in the regular season and a return clash in Kansas City has supporters salivating. The heat might be on but temperatures are still expected to drop below freezing during the game.

It's hard to bet against Brady but the NFL legend has lost his last three AFC Championship games while playing on the road.

And Mahomes will be ready and waiting as he's primed for the biggest moment of his promising career - the second-year star passed for 50 touchdowns and is an almost certainty to be named the league's MVP next week.

For the Patriots, who have reached a mind-boggling eight consecutive championship games, they have the chance to reach their ninth Super Bowl of the Bill Belichick-Brady era.

Mahomes is the league's new star (Image: USA TODAY Sports)

On the other touchline is Andy Reid - the ultimate bridesmaid but never the bride - who finally has the quarterback he always craved.

When you get four teams of this quality battling for the title then there isn't a Super Bowl match-up which wouldn't provide the opportunity to fill column inches.

But perhaps the greatest story would be Brees and Brady, at a combined age of 81, facing off against each other in the ultimate game for the first time. You couldn't write it.

The Rams are on the rise (Image: USA TODAY Sports)

The Saints hero has often been denied by his team's sieve-like defence in recent years but he has the chance to join the likes of Peyton Manning and John Elway and land a second Super Bowl ring.

But a first title for Mahomes or McVay and his talented quarterback Jared Goff would also usher in a new era and stars for the NFL to build around.

The Rams and Chiefs contested what many observers reckon is the greatest regular season game in history during their 54-51 shootout.

Whatever the outcome is it will be the fans who will be the real winners. And just like the Oscars - expect plenty of tears of joy when the prizes are handed out.